Gunong with missing pommel

[Sajen]

Hello friends,

have won recently this gunong with missing pommel. When I received it there was a surprise, all fittings seems to be from silver. And the construction of the handle is very unusual in my opinion. On the tang is a piece of horn attached with a hole in up. I suppose that the missing pommel was attached with a pin through the pommel and this horn piece. do you agree? I plan to restore the gunong so all comments are very appreciated. The gunong is very heavy and has a laminated blade of a somewhat unusual form. I think to remember that Jose once write that gunong with silver fittings are from Sulu. Remember I correct?

Thanks in advance,

Detlef

[Sajen]

some more pictures!

[Indianajones]

Hi Sajen, nice piece indeed and perfect for a restaurationproject. To me the horn piece looks more newer made than the (good old) rest. Especially the end sticking out.
Though it sure is made in the Phil. and probably an attempt to restore the handle and keep all parts together.

Gonna make a wood endedhandle or a 'ivory'-one?? One sees quite some hippotooth and occasionally a whaletooth on antiquemarkets.

Good luck friend!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Indianajones

Hi Sajen, nice piece indeed and perfect for a restaurationproject. To me the horn piece looks more newer made than the (good old) rest. Especially the end sticking out.
Though it sure is made in the Phil. and probably an attempt to restore the handle and keep all parts together.

Gonna make a wood endedhandle or a 'ivory'-one?? One sees quite some hippotooth and occasionally a whaletooth on antiquemarkets.

Good luck friend!

Hi Wouter,

good possible that this horn piece is part of an old repair, who knows? You are correct, I want to built up a new pommel from ivory, have bought some time ago an antique billard ball from ivory so I have the material. First I have to repair the silver shoe in down of the scabbard and the silver piece from the handle.

Regards,

Detlef

[David]

Nice restoration project for sure. These silver rings look a bit questionable to me as gunong parts though. Not sure they originally come from this blade.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by David

Nice restoration project for sure. These silver rings look a bit questionable to me as gunong parts though. Not sure they originally come from this blade.

Hi David,

all by this dagger is a little bit strange! The ring is oval in diameter and not circular but I think that it is original to it.

Regards,

Detlef

[T. Koch]

Originally Posted by Indianajones

Gonna make a wood endedhandle or a 'ivory'-one?? One sees quite some hippotooth and occasionally a whaletooth on antiquemarkets.

Wow, are there really documented cases of hippo ivory being used as gunong handles? There are no native hippopotamus anywhere in Asia, so the closest source would be East Africa. Wouldn't that make it the 'Unobtanium' of the times back then? Or was exclusivity exactly the point?

Cool knife - looking forward to the repair!


All the best, - Thor

[David]

Thor, i don't think anyone was suggesting that hippo ivory was traditionally used on gunong, just that there is some availability of that form of ivory on the market today.

[Indianajones]

Yep, indeed That is what I meant. Not so very (intrinsically) cultural correct as the Moros may never have seen/known hippos in their lives! The shape n form are (from the lower straight teeth) already 'handleshaped' and the endresult after grinding n sanding may just look the same as . . .

makes me think; was it seacow- or 'dugong'-teeth they used or perhaps whaletooth for the ivoryhandle. Am not sure if seacows do/did live in the Phill's and if whaletooth ever stranded there (never heard/seen myself).
Certainly have read about this question in one or two topics before but cant remember this answer was finally cleared up..?!?

[kai]

Wow, are there really documented cases of hippo ivory being used as gunong handles? There are no native hippopotamus anywhere in Asia, so the closest source would be East Africa. Wouldn't that make it the 'Unobtanium' of the times back then? Or was exclusivity exactly the point?

Hippo ivory is very commonly seen with Sumatran/Malay keris hilts as well as other objects. There was very intense and ancient sea trade between East Africa (trading port for much of sub-saharan Africa) and SE Asia; from the examples I've seen, I don't think it was regarded more highly than elephant ivory.

I'm not certain having seen any Moro blade with hippo fittings but it wouldn't surprise me at all.

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

At first here some better pictures by daylight.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by T. Koch

Cool knife - looking forward to the repair!

All the best, - Thor

Thank you Thor, will keep you informed at this place.

Regards,

Detlef

[Battara]

Originally Posted by Sajen

I think to remember that Jose once write that gunong with silver fittings are from Sulu. Remember I correct?

Detlef

Sorry I am getting in so late. I don't remember saying this. I do remember giving a date for the silver one I have. If I am wrong, please show me.

Also I scratch my head at the silver bands like Indiana Jones. The filigree is the right form for Moro, but the style throws me off.

I will admit, though, the bottom band looks to be Jawi filigree script - maybe this is why it looks so weird. Also the top band is Moro.

Finally most gunongs seem to be from Mindanao, according to Federico and according to the style of okir I have observed.

[Rick]

I weep for the fate of the antique ivory Billiard Ball .

Can't you find another source for your ivory, Detlef ?

Here, I have found Hippo tusks for sale on gunbroker.com .
Much easier to work with !

[Robert]

Hello Detlef, Well it looks as though you have your work cut out for you on this one. Please keep us posted on the progress. It should be a very nice gunong once you are finished with it.

Rick, I hate to say it but one time years ago I saw a group of shooters using ivory billiard balls as targets like clay pidgins. Talk about a waste !!!

Robert

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Robert Coleman

Rick, I hate to say it but one time years ago I saw a group of shooters using ivory billiard balls as targets like clay pidgins. Talk about a waste !!!

Robert

Oh the HORROR ....
Seriously, that Hippo Ivory is prime ... and it has a natural curve .

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Robert Coleman

Hello Detlef, Well it looks as though you have your work cut out for you on this one. Please keep us posted on the progress. It should be a very nice gunong once you are finished with it.
Robert

Thank you Robert! Of course I will post further pictures of the progress and I hope you are right!

Regards,

Detlef

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Rick

I weep for the fate of the antique ivory Billiard Ball .

Can't you find another source for your ivory, Detlef ?

Here, I have found Hippo tusks for sale on gunbroker.com .
Much easier to work with !

Hello Rick,

have look long for old ivory for some restauration and have seen that ervery time again billiard balls listed in ebay and have win this one by not $70!
I am a little bit afraid to order a hippo tusk by gunbroker.com.
Isn't it on the cites list?

Regards,

Detlef

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Rick,

have look long for old ivory for some restauration and have seen that ervery time again billiard balls listed in ebay and have win this one by not $.70!
I am a little bit afraid to order a hippo tusk by gunbroker.com.
Isn't it on the cites list?

Regards,

Detlef

Not to my knowlege, Detlef; the seller states that these are legal teeth .

I can inquire from the Seller or pass on their site address to you if you cannot connect with gunbroker.com .

The Seller had lots of teeth, lots .

Now, you got that ivory cue ball for seventy cents !?!?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Rick

Not to my knowlege, Detlef; the seller states that these are legal teeth .

When it is like this I will maybe order one.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Rick

Now, you got that ivory cue ball for seventy cents !?!?

No, for not $.70, for $ 70, don't know who type this dot!!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Battara

Sorry I am getting in so late. I don't remember saying this. I do remember giving a date for the silver one I have. If I am wrong, please show me.

Hello Jose,

look here:http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=gunong, post #5

"Glad the fittings are silver. If true it may be Sulu. If plated, then it would probably be from Mindanao. If aluminum they would obviously be WWII."